Means for inverting facsimile signals derived from coded signals



June 23, 1959 R. GLTHOMPSON 2,892,030

MEANS FOR INVERTING FACSIMILE SIGNALS I DERIVED FROM CODED SIGNALS Filed NOV. 18, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l MATRIX c/ cu/r P- FLOP CIRCUIT RUSSELL G THOMPSON IN V EN TOR.

BY Q1 54 92W TTORNE) & AGE/VT June 1959 R. G. THOMPSON 2,892,030

MEANS FOR INVERTING FACSIMILE SIGNALS DERIVED FROM CODED SIGNALS Filed Nov. 18, 1954 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 RUSSE L L 6. THOMPSON IN VEN TOR.

BYOSMIQ'ZQ' ATTORNEY 8 AGE/VT United States Patent ,,MEANS FOR INVERTING FACSI'MILE SIGNALS DERIVED FROM CODED SIGNALS "Russell G. Thompson, Rochester, N.Y., assignor to Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, N.Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application November 18, .1954, Serial No. 469,619

6 Claims. ((31. 17s--.30

'Thisinvention relates to facsimile apparatus and more particularly to a translating device which generates and records facsimile signals corresponding to the characters represented by received coded signals and in which a selecting means permits recording of a normal or an inverted visual representation of the characters.

The present invention relates to apparatus which will print legible characters from an input signal at extremely high speeds, such as the printer disclosed in US. Patent No. 2,659,652 in the name of Russell G. Thompson, which is also shown in U.S. Patent No. Re. 23,713 in the name of Clayton E. Hunt, Jr., and in the pending US. patent application, Serial No. 394,926 in-the name of Russell G. Thompson and Clayton E. Hunt, Jr., as being usedin conjunction with a circuit arrangement capable of analyzing a coded signal and posting a voltage -on. a terminal individual to the character represented'by the signal.

The above patents and application describe an address label printer in which the coded signals are derived from punched cards on which the characters are punched in code in successive lines, the code for each letter or character being devised from abinar-y .code which contains sixelements. The cards are scanned photoelectri- ,cally and the codedsignals derived therefrom release a .predetermined sequence of operations i to print the entire ibuilt-up rectangular-dot character automatically-from a x 7 dot rectangle, fi-ve;rows of-seven .dotsfor serial printing. The number, variety andform of the characters desired are provided for in theelectronic decoder ;and electronic matrix connections.

The printing is accomplished bya singlerow of seven stylii,,,each stylus being operated by an independent polarizedrelay toprintor not print in accordance with the predetermined pattern 0f the amplified signals released by -,the.matrix. The stylii strike impact blows-on carbon ,paper to print carbon dots, row by row, on the .paper thereunder for the character signaled to provide anormal visual representation of the character. In the ,above Patents and .application, such paper is in .the formof a tape which, after having addresses printed thereon, is cut up into individual address labels .and then applied with van adhesive to the ,mailing matter. In many instances, however, it has been determined that the mailer prefers to have the address printed directly on themaga- ,zine, envelope, ,etc., because the .address label detracts from the appearance .and .obliterates portions of the title page of the magazine or some portion of an advertisers copy. on the-last page.

It is well known that carbon can beheatedand transferred directly from .one surface to another. In the pr esent instance, it was found that the address label .was applicable to a transfer process when the tape is heated and in contact with a magazine, envelope, etc. The carbon address is meltedgby the heat and transferred directly. However, in such an instance it'is necessary to print an inverted or mirrorimage of the-address on the tape 'in -'order to obtain a normal visual representation of the "ice address on the mailing piece to which the address is toibe printing a normal visual representation or an inverted mirror image representation of the character.

Another object of the invention is to-provide'means for interconnecting the output pulses'from a'matrix with its respective control means for the printer so such pulses can be utilized to selectively cause printing of a normal visual representation or an inverted visual representation of=the character represented by each pulse.

Andstill another object of the invention is to provide means for interconnecting a plurality of matrixes and control means for a plurality of printers so theoutput pulses of each matrix can be utilized:to-selectivelyrcause printing of normal visual representations-of the-charac- :ters in a plurality of parallel lines in a predetermined order or inverted visual representations of the characters .in a plurality of parallel lines-in an order which is :in- .verted from said predetermined order.

These and other objects andadvantageswill be readily apparent to those skilled in the art'by the description which follows:

Reference, is now. made-to the accompanying. drawings wherein like reference numeralsdesignate like--parts .and .Wherein:

,Fig. 1 is :a schematic diagram of the various circuits utilized in a ,unit for recording a single.lineotcharacters ,froma punchedwcardor tape;

Fig. ,2is a schematicdiagram of the switching means for interconnecting a plurality of units, as shown in-Fig. l, for printing a plurality of lines of characters;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic ,view oftheendsofthe stylii and a normal visual representation of a character; and

. 'Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view of theends of the stylii and an inverted. or mirror image representation ,of ,a

character.

The embodiment of the invention disclosed .inEig. 1

is shownin relation to a single circuit network asutiliged 50 j to print a single line of characters. Since .the invention is concerned with the interconnection of the output pulses from the matrix circuit to the control means, the invention is also readily applicable to the disclosure in the "Hunt Patent Re. 23,713 referred to above and particu- 55 photocells ll, 12, 13 and 1 4 which deri-ve signals from the code punched in said cardsin successive lines, each line being representative .of one character. noted that 'card Ill is divided into ,fourareas A, 13, :ZC

and D,-each area having 40 columns of-6 rows for-coding eachcharacter-in one of the lines of the-address. cards .10 are fed continuously in alengthwise-direction at a constant speed :with respect.to the scanning stations in-Which the photocells .are positioned improper relation to the rows of code in each area. Corresponding ,lines of the code in each area are, therefore, scanned simultaneously and the code will-provide signals to the photocells which are individual 'to the character represented by the'code. Each bank of photocells 11, -12, "13 andf'll will supply signals for operation of difierent printersto Q) provide the necessary four lines of characters as represented by the code in said areas.

Since each of the printers involve the same circuits, the description Will be limited to only one, although photocells 12, 13 and 14 are shown as having leads which are not connected to any circuit. In order to insure synchronization of the card feed and successive scanning of the lines, circuit 21 comprising a slotted disc, photocell and amplifier provides a signal which is utilized as a synchronizing signal for each card column passing photocells 11, 12, 13 and 14. The signals from the amplifier in circuit 20 are also transmitted to a ring chain comprising as many units as there are number of coded lines to be used in each area for stepping or gating the disc signal.

The code distribution circuit 21 amplifies the card signals which are gated with the disc signal to insure exact synchronism and are transmitted to the memory circuit 22. Memory system 22 permits the use of punched cards irrespective of the arrangement of the information in the areas thereof and permits the information to be arranged in any predetermined manner. Such a memory circuit comprises a plurality of static magnetic units, each of the units being arranged in assemblies or groups of six units in accordance with the number of elements in the binary code and correspond to the one character coded in each line of card and the number of such assemblies being equivalent to the number of lines in an area.

Amplifier circuit 25 also comprises a slotted disc and photocell which sends out seven pulses for each character. These pulses are amplified and transmitted to ring chain 26 by means of flip-flop circuit 27 which comprises seven triggering units. Five of the pulses by means of lines 28 are utilized to sequentially operate the printer and the seventh is utilized to step ring chain 26 once for every seven pulses and to pulse a voltage source. Ring chains 26 are also connected by line 29 to memory circuit '22 for stepping the read-out from one magnetic assembly to the next. Successive groups of signals corresponding to the characters to be printed are, therefore, transmitted over lines 30 to the flip-flop circuits 31 which deliver a plus or minus signal to decoding circuit 32 by means of lines 33. The signals delivered to flipflop circuits 31 will be in accordance with the code on each line of card 10. As a result, decoding circuit 32 must provide a number of diiferent voltages in accordance with the number of characters, namely the full alphabet and numerals one through nine, zero and the leter 0 being interchangeable. Therefore, the various combinations of signals to decoder 32 will result in signals being delivered to outputs 34 which will be of different voltages, each signal being representative of the character defined by the combination of signals delivered by lines 30 to flip-flop circuits 31.

The signals from decoding circuit 32 delivered by outputs 34 are connected to a plurality of diodes in the synthesizing circuit 35. The diodes are interconnected in combinations which are common to more than one character. These synthesized signals are delivered by leads 36 to the matrix 37 and interconnected with leads 28 from flip-flop circuit 27 to produce a 5 X 7 matrix having seven output leads 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, and 46, each of which is connected to an inverter-amplifier stage 47-53. Circuits 54 comprise a high resistance and a capacitor which under D.C. conditions decrease the amount of plate current from stages 47-53 and under A.-C. conditions allows full supply voltage to be impressed on coils 60 and 51.

Carbon paper 62 and paper tape 63 are brought together and fed over printer roll 6 and moved with respect to stylii 6571. When the outputs from stages 47-53 energize one or more of coils 60, the associated stylii are pressed against printing roll 64 which mark the paper tape 63 from the intervening carbon paper 62.

A selector means 75 is shown in Fig. 1 arranged between matrix circuit 37 and stages 4753 which serve as a control means for the marking means of stylii 6571. Each of lines 4046 are connected to two contacts on the right side of selector 70 as at 40 and 40", line 41 is connected at 41 and 41, etc. In the position shown, selector 75 connects line 40 from contact 40' directly to stage 4-7 and likewise lines 4146. As a result, each output signal from matrix 37 over one or more of lines 40-46 is transmitted directly by selector 70 to the respective stages 47-53. This results in energization of the respective coils 60 and movement of one or more of stylii 6571 to produce a normal visual representation of the characters on tape 63, such representation being as shown in Fig. 3. Since the description thus far has assumed that only the area A is being scanned by photocells 11, then the tape 62 will contain a single line of characters in accordance with the successive line of code in area A on card 10 and which will be printed in a normal upright position.

Upon movement of selector 75 in an upward direction, as viewed in Fig. 1, the contact members 75' are dis engaged from contacts 40, 41, etc., and contact members 75 are moved into engagement with contacts 40", 41", etc., and the common contacts on the left side of selector 75. In this position, the output pulse from matrix 37 on line 40 is transmitted to contact 40", the output pulse from matrix 37 on line 40 is transmitted to contact 40", the output pulse on line 41 is transmitted to contact 41", etc. As a result, the output pulse on line 40 which formerly was transmitted to stage 47 through contact 40 and contact member 75 of selector 75 is now transmitted to stage 53 by contact 40" and contact member 75". In a like manner, pulses on line 41 are transmitted to stage 52, on line 42 to stage 51, etc. The movement of selector 75, therefore, results in a transfer of the output pulses which causes an inversion of the printing of the stylii so that an inverted visual image of the character appears on the tape, as disclosed in Fig. 4. By manual movement of selector 75, either a normal visual representation or an inverted or mirror image representation of the charatcers can be obtained. In the transfer process the inverted representations will then result in a normal representation of the characters on the magazine, envelope, etc., on which the characters have been transferred.

When signals are derived from each area of card 10 simultaneously, circuits 21, 22, 31, 32, 35 and 37 are provided for each group of photocells scanning an area. However, circuits 20, 25, 27 and 26 are common to all the circuits, as indicated by the leads extending therefrom. With the printing of more than one line of characters, it is necessary to not only invert the characters in each line but to also invert the order of the lines to obtain a completely inverted or mirror image of the lines. For example, if the card comprises four areas as shown in Fig. 1 and it is assumed that the code in areas A, B, C and D represents a name, street address, city and state, respectively, then normally this information appears in that order in the address label. A mirror image of this address, however, places the state in the name line, the city in the street address line, the street address in the city line and the name in the state line. Accordingly, not only must the outputs from the matrixes be inverted but they must also be connected to the control means or stages of another matrix.

Such a means for transferring the outputs of the matrixes is disclosed in Fig. 2 and designated by the numeral 79. Leads 8t), 81, 82 and 83 represent the seven outputs from each of four matrixes corresponding to areas A, B, C and D of card 10, respectively. Leads 84, 85, 86 and 87 represent the seven connections to the amplifier inverter stages of each matrix. Interconnectassaoeo ing leads. SO -83 and 8487 is a selector 79 comprising eight plates 88--95 which are mounted on a common shaft and rotatable as a unit. Each plate has associated therewith severr movable contacts and seven fixed contacts. Inasmuch as the function of the selector 79 is the same for any group of signals from any matrix, a description of only one will sufi'ice' to fully understand the arrangement. With respect to output signals transmitted to leads 80 and for obtaining a normal visual representationof the characters, selector 79 is shown in its normal position as in- Fig. 2. In this position, leads 80 are connected to the movable contacts on plate 92 and also to the movable contacts on plate 94'. 'It will be noted, however; that if plate 9 4'were the same position as'plate' 92, the leads are connected inreverse order. The fixed contacts associated with plate are connected to leads 84- in' the sameorder asthe leads 80' from the matrix. As; a result, an output signal on lead '80 is transmitted by the contacts on plate 92 to line 84"and causes stylus 71 oftheprinter for the nameline to print the square 71' of the letter T in Fig. 3". Output'signals appearing simultaneously on leads 81", 82 and 83 are connected in the same manner through plates 88, '89 and 93 so that normal visual representation ofthe' characters are printed on the'tape 63 in parallel lines and in a predetermined. order. A

Upon rotation of selector 79 through 180 degrees, the relation of the contacts for each plate is changed. The movable contacts on plate 92 are now removed from the fixed contacts and the movable contacts on plate 94" are placed in, engagement with the fixed contacts associated therewith. A signal appearing on: lead 80 is new transmitted to lead 87' associated with the state line: printer and causes stylii 65 to print the square 65' of the letter T which when fully printed is in an inverted position. Signals appearing simult'aneously an. anyof leads 81, 82 and 83 will be connected in: the-same: manner through plates 90, 91 and 95 so that an inverted visual representation of the characters are now printed on tape 63 in parallel lines but also in an order inverted with respect to the predetermined order.

Selectors 75 and 79 may take any form other than that shown diagrammatically in the drawings as long as they are movable between two positions for providing the necessary inversion of the output signals for a single printing unit or inversion of the units as well as the output signals when a plurality of printing units are used. Also, the selecting means 75 or 79 may be positioned in relation to other circuits to obtain the same result. However, the disclosed relation is considered preferable in that fewer and less complicated connections are necessary. Since other modifications of the invention may be suggested to those skilled in the art, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

Having now described my invention, what I desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States and what I claim is:

1. Apparatus for translating into visual representation the characters represented by code, said code being arranged on a medium in successive lines, comprising means for scanning said lines and providing output pulses in accordance with the code in each line and individual to the character represented thereby, a circuit network responsive to the output pulses of said scanning means and including a matrix of switching means arranged in the equivalent of columns and rows, marking means. for following each of a multiplicity of collateral paths extending along a surface on which the representation is to appear, each of said marking means being individual to a corresponding row of said matrix, means controlled by the output of each row of said matrix for operating the corresponding marking means, and means for selectively interconnecting the rows of said matrix to said operating means in an inverted order whereby the output signals of each row of said matrix are trans- 6 mitted to" the operating means to produce an inverted visual representation of the characters on said surface:

2; Apparatus for translating into visual representation the; characters represented by code, saidcode being ar ranged on a medium in successive lines, comprising means for' scanning said lines and providing output pulses in accordance with the code in each line and individual to the character represented thereby, a circuit network responsive to the output pulses of said scanning means and including a matrix of switching means arranged in the equivalent of columns and rows, marking means for following each of a multiplicity of collateral paths extending along a surface on which the representation is to appear, each of said marking means being individual to a corresponding row of said matrix, means controlled by the output of eachrow of said matrix for operating the corresponding marking means, and means arranged betweensaid matrix and said operating means for inverting the relation between said marking means and the corresponding rows of said matrix to provide an inverted visual representation of the characters on said surface.

3. Apparatus for translating into visual representation the characters represented by code, saidcode being arranged on a medium in successive lines, comprising means for scanning said lines and providing output pulses in accordance with the code in each line and individual to the character represented thereby, a circuit network responsive to the output pulses of said scanning means and including a matrix of switching means arranged in the equivalentof columns and rows, marking means for followingeach of a multiplicity of collateral paths extending along a surface on which the representation is to appear, eachof said marking means being individual to a corresponding row of said matrix, means controlled 'b'y the output of each row of said matrix for operatingthe corresponding marking means, and means interconnecting said matrix and said operating means and selectively movable between a position in which the relation between said marking means provides a normal visual representation of the character on said surface and a position in which the relation between said marking means and the corresponding rows of said matrix is inverted to provide an inverted visual representation of the character on said surface.

4. Apparatus for translating into visual representations the characters represented by code, said code being arranged on a medium in successive lines and in different areas thereof, comprising means for simultaneously scanning the line in each of said different areas and providing output pulses from each of said different areas in accordance with the code in each of the lines thereof and individual to the character represented thereby, a plurality of circuit networks equal in number to said areas and each responsive only to the output pulses derived from the lines of codes in one of said areas and each including a matrix of switching means arranged in the equivalent of columns and rows, a plurality of groups of marking means equal in number to said areas, each group of marking means being arranged to follow each of a multiplicity of collateral paths extending along a surface on which the representations of each area are to appear parallel to one another and in a predetermined order, and each of said marking means in a group being individual to a corresponding row of its respective matrix, means controlled by the output of each row of said matrix for operating the corresponding marking means, and means for selectively interconnecting said matrices to said operating means in an inverted order and the rows of each matrix to its respective operating means in an inverted order whereby the output pulses from the rows of each matrix cause the corresponding marking means to provide inverted visual representations of the characters on said surface in parallel lines and in an inverted order.

5. Apparatus for translating into visual representations the characters represented by code, said code being arranged on a medium in successive lines and in different areas thereof, comprising means for simultaneously scanning the lines in each of said different areas and providing output pulses from each of said difierent areas in accordance with the code in each of the lines thereof and individual to the character represented thereby, a plurality of circuit networks equal in number to said areas and each responsive only to the output pulses derived from the lines of codes in one of said areas and each including a matrix of switching means arranged in the equivalent of columns and rows, a plurality of groups of marking means equal in number to said areas, each group of marking means being arranged to follow each of a multiplicity of collateral paths extending along a surface on which the representations of each area are to appear parallel to one another and in a predetermined order, and each of said marking means in a group being individual to a corresponding row of its respective matrix, means controlled by the output of each row of said matrix for operating the corresponding marking means, and means interconnecting said matrices to said operating means for transmitting the output pulses of said matrix of each area to the operating means corresponding to one of said other areas and to non-corresponding marking means thereof to provide inverted visual representations of the characters on said surface in parallel lines and in an inverted order.

6. Apparatus for translating into visual representations the characters represented by code, said code being arranged on a medium in successive lines and in different areas thereof, comprising means for simultaneously scan ning the lines in each of said different areas and providing output pulses from each of said diflerent areas in accordance with the code in each of the lines thereof and individual to the character represented thereby, a plurality of circuit networks equal in number to said areas and each responsive only to the output pulses derived from the lines of codes in one of said areas and each including a matrix of switching means arranged in the equivalent of columns and rows, a plurality of groups of marking means equal in number to said areas, each group of marking means being arranged to follow each of a multiplicity of collateral paths extending along a surface on which the representations of each area are to appear parallel to one another and in a predetermined order, and each of said marking means in a group being individual to a corresponding row of its respective matrix, means controlled by the output of each row of said matrix for operating the corresponding marking means, and means interconnecting said matrices to said operating means and selectively movable between a position in which the output pulses of each matrix are directed to its corresponding operating means and the marking means thereof to provide normal visual representations of the characters on said surface in parallel lines and in said predetermined order and a position in which the output pulses of each matrix are directed to a non-corresponding operating means and to non-corresponding marking means thereof to provide inverted visual representations of the characters on said surface in parallel lines and in an inverted order.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 23,713 Hunt Sept. 22, 1953 2,047,851 Bennett July 14, 1936 2,590,530 Groenendyke Mar. 25, 1952 2,628,277 Spencer Feb. 10, 1953 2,714,047 Dehemel July 26, 1955 OTHER REFERENCES The Design of Switching Circuits, copyright, 1951, by D. Van Nostrand Co., Inc. 

